1. THE WEDDING DATE
When choosing your wedding gown, keep the season (summer, autumn, spring, winter) of your wedding date in mind. It wonʼt be wise to wear a long-sleeved, multi-layered gown for a summer wedding or a crop top and soft skirt for a winter wedding 😉 Selecting a design that compliments the season will allow you to feel and look effortless in your images. Thatʼs a guarantee! For inspiration of styles that photograph beautifully, have a look at my Pinterest board.
2. THE PERFECT FIT IS VERY IMPORTANT
From a photography point of view, the FIT of your gown is most important. Regardless of the silhouette of your dress, it needs to fit your proportions like a glove. The dress needs to shape WITH your body. A dress too small/tight will photograph showing all the lumps and bumps making you appear like a sausage. The same goes for a dress that is too loose; you will be pulling and tucking on it the whole day. If you take anything from this post, please make sure your wedding dress fits properly.
TIP: Schedule a final fitting 1.5 weeks before your wedding day. You might lose a few extra centimeters in the last weeks leading up to the big day, and the final alterations will ensure your gown fits perfectly.
3. COLOUR, TEXTURE + STYLING
What if I told you your dress could be ANY color you want! You donʼt have to settle for the traditional white or ivory gown. If a white gown is your top choice, ensure that the fabric does not have a color undertone when photographed. A color undertone can be a post-production nightmare for any photographer.
If you are opting for a minimal bridal look, choose your fabrics wisely. A heavier, more expensive fabric will add luxury to a minimal gown and pair well with more elaborate accessories.
Styling can make or break a wedding look! Consider a unique pair of wedding shoes, statement jewelry, headpiece/crown/a bridal cape to tie your wedding look in with your celebration theme. Below are some local vendors who supply the industry with trendsetting accessories;
Jeanne & Co | Vagabond Bridal | Bo & Luca |
4. MOVEMENT
As a documentary wedding photographer, I encourage my brides to choose a dress that allows effortless movement. This is not to say only choose a dress with a Chiffon skirt! I am more specifically referring to being able to move around in your dress without losing blood flow in your legs or being poked from every angle.
TIP: Before saying YES to your dress, dance around in it, twirl, bend, sit, and casually walk – don’t be shy to test drive your dress, you’ll thank me later!
5. TRENDS
Trends some are ruled by them while others avoid them like the plague. You’ll need to determine where you fall on this spectrum. If it is your personality to follow trends, then go for it. If you tend to challenge trends, then you must have a gown that reflects this. That said, trends should inspire decisions, not control every aspect of your wedding day. It’s more important to choose a dress, which enhances your beauty and makes you feel excited to walk down the aisle, than copying a Pinterest ideal.
I hope these tips will help you on your quest to find your perfect wedding gown. Apply the tips above to guide you towards a design that will not only photograph beautifully but capture you, your style, and your wedding theme perfectly.
I cannot wait to see which dress stole your heart.
xx Marli